In this issue...
• Have a great summer!
• Travelling to the UK this summer? Collecting shells, pebbles or sand on beaches to bring home could cost you $1,800+ CAD in fines!
• Social media trend shows young teens using anti-aging creams in an effort to stay looking... young
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• Send a FREE happy greeting card to someone to brighten their day!
• Really? Twix chocolate bar commercial banned for promoting dangerous driving.
• Summer edition bonus: Check out this recipe for a super easy, low-carb, low-calorie, high-protein dessert
• CBC Radio's Under the Influence: Ask Terry 2025
• Before you go: 7 things you may have missed in the news
• Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
• My latest book: The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1
• Buy them now! Acadian Recipes and More - Volumes 1, 2 & 3, and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1
... and trivia, quotes and more!
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Have a great summer!
This newsletter is taking its annual summer break in July and August. This is the last issue until Monday, September 8. Have a safe and happy summer! See you in September!
Thank you for the kind comments and feedback throughout the past year! They're always appreciated.
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Travelling to the UK this summer? Collecting shells, pebbles or sand on beaches to bring home could cost you $1,800+ CAD in fines!
If you're avoiding travel to the US this year but still want to vacation outside of North America, then the UK may be on your radar. Just be careful, though, not to bring back any shells, pebbles or sand as souvenirs in your luggage. It could cost you big time as the UK enforces a little-known law meant to protect the environment.
Article excerpt: "Tourists heading to the UK’s scenic coastlines this summer are being urged to think twice before pocketing shells, pebbles, or even a handful of sand. While it may seem like an innocent keepsake, removing natural materials from British beaches is a serious offence under national law - one that could cost unsuspecting visitors up to £1,000 (Editor's note: approx. $1,800 CAD) in fines. These strict rules are in place to protect fragile coastal ecosystems and preserve the natural beauty of the shoreline for future generations.
The UK’s coastlines are among the most picturesque in Europe, drawing millions of visitors every year to enjoy the sweeping sands, turquoise waters, and fresh sea air. But with this natural beauty comes a shared responsibility - keeping beaches clean, safe, and ecologically balanced. As summer approaches and beach traffic increases, a simple mistake made by many holidaymakers could turn into an expensive misstep: taking home natural souvenirs like pebbles or seashells.
While it might seem like a harmless act, removing items from British beaches is not only discouraged - it’s illegal. Under the Coast Protection Act of 1949, taking pebbles, sand, shells, or other natural materials from the coastline can result in fines of up to £1,000. For those unfamiliar with the law, this revelation is often a surprise."
What may seem harmless at first can certainly have an impact when multiplied literally millions of times over decades. No one can really blame the UK government for stepping up to protect their coastlines.
Read: UK enforces surprising beach rules that could hit tourists with massive fines for taking pebbles, shells or sand.
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Social media trend shows young teens using anti-aging creams in an effort to stay looking... young
There are tons of videos showing skin-care routines on social media. Both women and men... young and old. Unfortunately, "young" lately is trending way too young. You don't need angi-aging cream when you're 12, but lots of young teens are starting to use it.
Article excerpt: "If you've recently witnessed a 10-year-old smear their face with an $80 anti-wrinkle cream - either in real life or in any number of 'Get Ready With Me' TikTok videos - you're probably already aware of the 'Sephora kids' skin-care trend that has young people clamouring for anti-aging products thanks in part to what they see on social media.
Now, a new study published in Pediatrics this month, the first peer-reviewed paper of its kind, found that skin-care solutions promoted on TikTok not only offer little to no benefit for children and teens, but they can actually be harmful. And the risks go beyond skin damage (although, there is that, too), the authors note.
'It's problematic to show girls devoting this much time and attention to their skin,' corresponding author Dr. Molly Hales, a postdoctoral research fellow and dermatologist in the department of dermatology at Chicago's Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a news release.
'We're setting a very high standard for these girls. The pursuit of health has become a kind of virtue in our society, but the ideal of 'health' is also very wrapped up in ideals of beauty, thinness and whiteness.'"
There's nothing wrong with a skin-care routine, but aging is part of life. The wrinkles eventually come, and trying to stop them "forever" is like trying to stop the tide from coming in by holding back the water with your bare hands. Nature is nature.
Read: "Sephora kids" are using anti-aging creams. A new study says harms aren't just skin deep.
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Send a FREE happy greeting card to someone to brighten their day!
When was the last time you received a wonderful heartwarming greeting card in the mail to brighten your day? It's probably been quite some time, right?
The Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club wants to change that. They have launched a campaign called Inspiration which will see individuals receive cheerful greeting cards containing an uplifting message.
The cards are intended for anyone who would appreciate a happy message, be they health-care workers, teachers, students, seniors, retail or restaurant workers, delivery drivers or anyone else, including family, friends and neighbours.
The message inside each card reads, “Someone who thinks very highly of you wanted us to send you this sunny smile to brighten your day!” The cover of the card shows a smiling sun graphic accompanied by the words “Hi! Bonjour!” The cards are printed in both official languages.
Any names and addresses collected during the campaign will be kept confidential and not used for any other purpose. The cards are sent anonymously. Recipients will not know who made the request.
Requests for cards may be sent via email to inspiration@monctonsunriserotary.ca. There is no cost for sending or receiving a card. Requests must include the name and full mailing address of the person who will receive the card, including the postal code. The envelopes will be hand-addressed and sent with a real postage stamp. As well, Rotarians will hand-write a short greeting inside the card.
The Inspiration Campaign is a service project of the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club. Bricor Communications has also joined the campaign as a sponsor.
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Really? Twix chocolate bar commercial banned for promoting dangerous driving.
For the love of God... seriously? Take the time to watch that ad and then determine if you'd really get your knickers up in a knot and ban it. You have to be super sensitive and a bit crazy to do so.
It seems like the advertising overlords have banned a Twix chocolate bar commercial for glorifying dangerous driving. I watched the video. It's clearly absurd and meant to entertain. It's definitely not meant to be taken seriously. I'll just roll my eyes now...
Article excerpt: "Twix recently released a humorous ad promoting its twin-fingered chocolate sweet treat, but some stuffy viewers failed to see the funny side. As a result, the playful ad was swiftly banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for promoting 'dangerous' driving, despite Twix defending the ad's fantastical themes.
While the art of advertising usually rewards creative absurdity (you only have to look at some of the best adverts of all time to see living proof), Twix's latest ad clearly left a bad taste in some people's mouths. While the action-packed ad isn't by any means the model of safe road use, the subsequent ban raises an interesting debate around the functionality of adverts. Should they be taken seriously, or viewed simply as unbridled entertainment?"
Click here to watch the "offending" commercial on YouTube.
Some people clearly need to get a sense of humour.
Read: This Twix ad was banned for the stupidest reason ever.
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Summer edition bonus: Check out this recipe for a super easy, low-carb, low-calorie, high-protein dessert
I kept seeing this viral recipe for "fluffy Jell-O yogurt" all over social media. I finally made it last week... and OMG it's just great. So simple.
• 1 package of sugar-free Jell-O. Any flavour.
• 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
1) Pour the JELL-O powder in a bowl and cover with one cup of boiling water. Mix to dissolve. Let sit to cool a bit for about 30 minutes.
2) Add 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt to the cooled Jell-O and mix with a whisk until smooth and well-combined.
3) Cover and refrigerate for about two hours.
Note: I did experiment with another brand of sugar-free gelatin powder - Simply Delish - but it didn't work at all. I ended up throwing it out. I'd stick with JELL-O brand.
What you get is a deliciously smooth and refreshing sugar-free (and high in protein) dessert with only about 175 calories for the entire thing. Can be eaten as-is or topped with a few berries, whipped cream, etc. Very filling!
This really worked and was absolutely delicious. It's so simple that anyone can make it!
This is great for any time of the year, but especially for summer!
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CBC Radio's Under the Influence: Ask Terry 2025
The latest episode of CBC Radio's Under the Influence series with host Terry O'Reilly was the show's annual Ask Terry show, where the host answered questions from listeners. In fact, this was the last episode of the 20th season! What another fantastic run of interesting shows about the advertising and marketing industry. Thanks to Terry and his team for all their hard work and research - and I look forward to their return in January 2026!
• June 19, 2025 - Ask Terry 2025. Synopsis: "This week, we’ll answer a question about the longest-lasting slogans in history, we’ll explore why there is so much dancing going on in commercials these days, and we’ll play a fun game where you have to guess the celebrity voice." Click here to listen to the episode. Click here to watch the Anacin "hammer" ad referenced in the episode (YouTube).
Click here for the show's website and here for the show's podcast archive.
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Trivia: Did you know?
There are all kinds of collectors out there. If you're a labeorphilist, you collect beer bottles - and no, not because you drank the beer first. "Empties" go back to the recycling depot for your deposit refund. These ones are put on display!
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Quotes of note
• 1. "I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live as if there isn't and to die to find out that there is."
- Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), French philosopher (shown in photo)
• 2. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."
- Sam Keen
• 3. "Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one."
- Marcus Aurelius
• 4. "They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for."
- Tom Bodett
• 5. "The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back."
- Abigail Van Buren
• 6. "If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave."
- Mo Willems
• 7. "There's nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons."
- Stephen Chbosky
• 8. "Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there."
- Will Rogers
• 9. "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."
- Oprah Winfrey
• 10. "A good friend will help you move. But a best friend will help you move a dead body."
- Jim Hayes
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Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In June, the walking group is in Mapleton Park with meet-up in the Rotary Lodge parking lot off Mapleton Road.
The group meets for walks every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. New participants are always welcome! For more information, please contact Wayne Harrigan at 506-386-2187 or via email.
In July, the group moves to the Moncton Riverfront Trail. Due to ongoing construction on the eastern part of Main Street in Moncton, please contact Wayne for the exact location to meet during July. In August, the group will be walking on the Dieppe Riverfront Trail, with meet-up in the Église Saint-Anselme parking lot, 1014 Amirault Street, Dieppe. In September, the group moves to the Riverview Riverfront Trail, with meet-up at the gazebo on Coverdale Road in Riverview.
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My latest book: The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1
I'm thrilled to announce that The Hump Day Collection - Volume 1 is now available for purchase through Amazon in ebook or paperback (300+ pages) format. The book contains 75 updated and revised Hump Day stories that ran for many years in a local newspaper. I've been asked many times to put these in book format, so I'm hoping you'll like it! For ebook lovers, the book is part of the Kindle Unlimited subscription-based program from Amazon. To purchase today:
• Chapters, Dieppe NB
• Amazon Canada: amzn.to/4gckiQX
• Amazon USA: amzn.to/3CnKfiF
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Buy them now! Acadian Recipes and More - Volumes 1, 2 & 3, and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1
My three volumes of Acadian recipe books (English and French) and Forgotten Recipes - Volume 1 are out now and make a great addition to your recipe book library or a gift for someone else! They are available on Amazon Canada, Amazon USA and in some local retail outlets in Southeastern New Brunswick:
• Chapters, Dieppe NB: Volumes 1-3, Forgotten Recipes
• Le P'tit Coin Acadien Poutine Râpée, Bouctouche: Volumes 1-3, Forgotten Recipes
• Jean Coutu Pharmacy, Champlain Street, Dieppe NB: Volumes 1-3
• Monument-Lefebvre, Memramcook NB: Volumes 1-2
• Centre culturel Kent-Sud, Bouctouche NB: Volumes 1-3 (French versions only)
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About this newsletter
Brian Cormier's Weekly Update is distributed weekly from September to June. If you're reading this newsletter online and want to subscribe, please email me, fill out the subscription form on my website, or subscribe via the "Join Our Email List" button at the top of the newsletter (if you're viewing this in a browser.) This newsletter is not published in July and August and on holidays.
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